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View Poll Results: Would you buy a Carbon Fiber cosmetic part from China if the quality was good?
Yes if the price is right! 70 63.06%
Maybe, I'd have to see the part first and judge based on that. 34 30.63%
No! China-made parts are junk. 7 6.31%
Voters: 111. You may not vote on this poll

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      12-21-2011, 04:32 PM   #1
1speedbike
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What Carbon Fiber stuff would you guys like? (6/27/12 UPDATE with pics)

Hey Guys,

I have recently been put into a very interesting situation. A friend of my father's, a Chinese businessman, and his son have been working with their contacts in China to produce some new and unique firearms modifications. It recently came to my attention that these same contacts could possibly also go into the business of carbon fiber, specifically carbon fiber parts for our cars.

This past weekend we all had a brief meeting and this idea definitely seems doable, as long as there is sufficient interest in this. We would be using an existing factory and we would pretty much be making what you guys want us to make. I have no particular direction I am thinking of taking regarding the specific CF parts I want to be made, so I am leaving it up to you guys.

I know a lot of people on here are very cautious when it comes to China-made carbon fiber, but I am confident that if there's interest I can provide some cheaper, more varied, and good-quality alternatives to what is already out there. I don't want this to turn into yet another China-based knockoff part factory.

Since I would be involved, I would make quality control a top priority since I am all too familiar with the junk we have put up with in the past. I am also confident that China can indeed make a good quality carbon fiber product, as my China-made eyelids have a near flawless weave and clearcoat, though the fit left something to be desired. Also, since the infrastructure is already in place overseas, I am thinking I won't run into the same trouble iCarbon did and not be able to keep up with demand. But all of this depends on if our contacts think there is indeed enough interest for this endeavor, so don't be shy in letting me know if there's anything at all that you guys would want!

So.. all that said... Would YOU buy a Carbon Fiber piece from China from me? What pieces do you guys have interest in? What price range would you find acceptable for said pieces? Also, what style would you guys like the pieces to be in? Making pieces out of plastic and fiberglass is also possible, so let me know if anyone would be interested in that as well.

Even if you're not sure about anything at all, please post to let me know you're interested at all! Getting this project off the ground requires input from enthusiasts like yourselves.
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Last edited by 1speedbike; 06-27-2012 at 10:33 AM..
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      12-21-2011, 04:34 PM   #2
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      12-21-2011, 04:37 PM   #3
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      12-21-2011, 05:14 PM   #4
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2009 128i  [10.00]
128i front spoiler
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      12-21-2011, 05:46 PM   #5
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128i front spoiler
this this this. make it <200$ :P
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      12-21-2011, 05:57 PM   #6
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      12-21-2011, 06:00 PM   #7
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would be awesome if you made a proper functional rear diffuser, CF Interior Trim (Factory Replacement NOT OVERLAY), Roof Spoiler, iCarbon Style Lip,
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      12-21-2011, 06:23 PM   #8
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SIDE SKIRTS.. we really have no option other then the bmw performance......
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      12-21-2011, 06:24 PM   #9
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      12-21-2011, 06:25 PM   #10
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i love when people say stuff made in China is junk...almost EVERYTHING is made in China you fools...they have a broad range of quality of course but you get what you pay for
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      12-21-2011, 06:42 PM   #11
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i love when people say stuff made in China is junk...almost EVERYTHING is made in China you fools...they have a broad range of quality of course but you get what you pay for
Lol, that's true. But generally all of the eBay stores sell china-made CF which is generally junk
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      12-21-2011, 06:43 PM   #12
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carbon fiber roof overlay with sunroof cut out
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      12-21-2011, 06:49 PM   #13
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i think what I want has been said by other people...

hood, trunk, cf interior trim (RHD) and side skirt maybe.
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      12-21-2011, 06:51 PM   #14
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Seems to be a fair amount of interest.

For the people suggesting body parts, like the side skirts, you want full CF side skirts? OEM style, aero style, or new style? Or a new style in plastic/fiberglass? Would anyone even want the option of plastic or fiberglass for some of the pieces or is everyone about the CF nowadays?

I'm definitely looking into rear diffusers and the iCarbon style front lip, since those seemed to be popular iCarbon pieces before they went under. Roof spoiler is something I've always wanted as well, so I'm thinking of that. I also know since iCarbon went out, you can't find many CF trunks...

Also, for the 128i market, encourage fellow 128i owners to speak up! Usually the 135i guys get all the goodies because they are the ones most likely to buy the goodies. If you show a good representation though, it'll be worth making

One of my contacts is very good at 3D modelling with AutoCAD so I'm also just trying to get a gauge on what style you would like everything to be. For example giving a picture and saying "similar to this but with _____" would help me a lot on the design end. I'm not really a designer, but I know what I (and sort of what we) like in our cosmetic products and I can help guide the design to something that is pleasing to everyone. This is just the beginning stage and I am gauging interest so far, but this is going very well.
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      12-21-2011, 06:53 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 1speedbike View Post
Seems to be a fair amount of interest.

For the people suggesting body parts, like the side skirts, you want full CF side skirts? OEM style, aero style, or new style? Or a new style in plastic/fiberglass? Would anyone even want the option of plastic or fiberglass for some of the pieces or is everyone about the CF nowadays?

I'm definitely looking into rear diffusers and the iCarbon style front lip, since those seemed to be popular iCarbon pieces before they went under. Roof spoiler is something I've always wanted as well, so I'm thinking of that. I also know since iCarbon went out, you can't find many CF trunks...

Also, for the 128i market, encourage fellow 128i owners to speak up! Usually the 135i guys get all the goodies because they are the ones most likely to buy the goodies. If you show a good representation though, it'll be worth making

One of my contacts is very good at 3D modelling with AutoCAD so I'm also just trying to get a gauge on what style you would like everything to be. For example giving a picture and saying "similar to this but with _____" would help me a lot on the design end. I'm not really a designer, but I know what I (and sort of what we) like in our cosmetic products and I can help guide the design to something that is pleasing to everyone. This is just the beginning stage and I am gauging interest so far, but this is going very well.
I reckon the trunk design should be more like iCarbon instead of Slek...
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      12-21-2011, 06:59 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 1speedbike View Post
Seems to be a fair amount of interest.

For the people suggesting body parts, like the side skirts, you want full CF side skirts? OEM style, aero style, or new style? Or a new style in plastic/fiberglass? Would anyone even want the option of plastic or fiberglass for some of the pieces or is everyone about the CF nowadays?

I'm definitely looking into rear diffusers and the iCarbon style front lip, since those seemed to be popular iCarbon pieces before they went under. Roof spoiler is something I've always wanted as well, so I'm thinking of that. I also know since iCarbon went out, you can't find many CF trunks...

Also, for the 128i market, encourage fellow 128i owners to speak up! Usually the 135i guys get all the goodies because they are the ones most likely to buy the goodies. If you show a good representation though, it'll be worth making

One of my contacts is very good at 3D modelling with AutoCAD so I'm also just trying to get a gauge on what style you would like everything to be. For example giving a picture and saying "similar to this but with _____" would help me a lot on the design end. I'm not really a designer, but I know what I (and sort of what we) like in our cosmetic products and I can help guide the design to something that is pleasing to everyone. This is just the beginning stage and I am gauging interest so far, but this is going very well.
No point in getting OEM style side skirts... either performance side skirt replica or better yet an M3 looking type side skirt.. I find the 1M side skirt not agressive at all.. we need something that flares out a little bit and lower a little bit to match all the lips that are being introduced.
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      12-21-2011, 07:07 PM   #17
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well if you want your business to do well you could always come up with new products that are different from others. Not a lot of people make cheap carbon fiber roundels for example.
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      12-21-2011, 07:09 PM   #18
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China quality all depends on how much money is being spent on the facility, research and development, and quality control. Most companies don't have the money or resources to invest as much as needed into those 3 things which is why alot of the parts come out crappy. But if your say Apple then you have a ton of money to throw at those 3 factors and you make good products.

As for sideskirts either replicate the BMW Performance ones at a good price or come up with your own with a better design.
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      12-21-2011, 07:16 PM   #19
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interior trim for sure. and a hood/trunk combo thats not 2 grand. i dont care if its pretty, i want it light.
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      12-21-2011, 07:49 PM   #20
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carbon mirror covers or replacements for 2010+ mirrors. The only options for us are oem or ebay.
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      12-21-2011, 08:08 PM   #21
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Interior trim +1000. Maybe front spoiler but i have feeling my wife will smash it to pieces the first time she gets in the car after install That said...I am a gun collector (hobby) and i'm still stuck on modified gun parts from China
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      12-21-2011, 08:11 PM   #22
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